What car does this wheel come from

[Bubba Rob]

Hello All,

 

In 1951 the Indian Motorcycle Company received an order from the NY Fire Dept for 10+? Dispatch Tow (DT) 3 wheelers.  Indian hadn’t built a DT since 1942 and was reaching the end of its corporate life so it pieced these bikes together from leftovers in the factory, parts it machined in-house and odds and ends it bought off-the-shelf.

 

The rear axle has a combination of a standard DT differential, hand machined axles, brakes from a ‘51 Studebaker and 5 bolt wheels.  And that’s my problem - I need another wheel rim and I have no idea where to look.  I would guess they are off a then current (‘51) car or truck but...

 

I’ve attached a few photos.  Does anyone have any ideas?

 

Thanks!

 

Rob

Edited January 14, 2021 by Bubba Rob
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[Leif Holmberg]

Looks Cadillac 1950s wheel to me maybe earlier too?

Edited January 14, 2021 by Leif Holmberg (see edit history)

[Bubba Rob]

Thanks Leif, I’ll see where that leads me.

 

Rob

[m-mman]

The wheel in question is unusual in that it doesn't have the nubs near the bolt holes to retain a hubcap. Most any automobile wheel (and truck) at that time included these. The picture of the restored bike shows a chrome cover retained by a single fastener. 

 

As a suggestion I would look at perhaps Cushman or Golf cart or industrial type vehicles that do not use a regular hubcap. 

Edited January 20, 2021 by m-mman (see edit history)

[Brass is Best]

Has a 50s General Motors look about it.

[Bubba Rob]

Thanks for your help everyone. 
 

I’ve spent a lot of time searching and haven’t found a match.  I’m currently thinking that it’s a general purpose wheel out of a rim manufacturer’s catalog.  The raised areas around the lug holes look very much like the rim could be drilled for 5/5 or 5/5.5 lug patterns, much like some current rims.

 

I think a late 40’s Ford rim might be a really close match but I doubt if I’ll ever find an exact match.

 

Thanks again everyone!

 

Best wishes,

 

Rob

Edited January 27, 2021 by Bubba Rob
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[paulrhd29nz]

Very similarly to the rims of my 46 Hudson pickup. They are 15” but the cars could be on 16” as well. Tire is a 7.25
 

[1909schacht]

my 50 Dodge truck runs rims like these , because the hubs have no  studs you use lug "bolts" to hold the rim inplace not "lug Nuts"

the smaller hole is for the line up stud that is on the brake drum U helps you line up all the holes for  the "bolts"

just so you know....